Do you take aspirin everyday? Uh-oh, you'd better read this!

Does an aspirin a day keep women\'s heart attacks away, or does it merely bring along more risking medical problems? According to Healthday News, researchers found that, in women younger than 65, taking a low dosage of aspirin over years did reduce the risks of heart attacks, colon cancer and strokes. However, that benefit was small and became almost irrelevant compared to aspirin-induced medical complications, such as gastrointestinal bleeding.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - "There's no question that aspirin can be a lifesaver for people who've already had a heart attack," expressed Dr. John Erwin, a cardiologist at Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Texas in an article for Healthday News.

Things aren't so clear when it comes to primary prevention, preventing first-time heart attacks. "It's been a huge conundrum for us over the years," said Erwin. "When it comes to primary prevention, there are relatively few patients who will get a big benefit. And there's always the risk of harm."

Help others lead healthy lives.

A daily aspirin can aid in preventing a repeat heart attack. But for those taking it to prevent primary heart attacks, it remains unclear whether that benefit will outweigh the risks of aspirin, including ulcers, stomach bleeding or bleeding of the brain.

A recent study published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration involving about 28,000 healthy women, averaging 55-years-old, brought to light the expenses that come along with taking an aspirin a day. Only 11 percent of the women developed cancer, or suffered a heart attack or stroke.

However, one in 133 women suffered major gastrointestinal bleeding, and one out of 29 women endured stomach ulcers.

More times than not, the risks involved with taking a low-dose aspirin a day, for women under 65, outweigh the benefits it may provide.

"What it comes down to," Erwin urged, "is that people need to have a careful discussion of the potential benefits and risks with a doctor they trust."   

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